Emergency lighting requires an uninterruptible power supply

What are the requirements for emergency lighting?

The power source for emergency illumination must be available and supply power to the luminaire within 10 seconds after the loss of normal power supply. For certain building and occupancy types, the emergency power source must be located within spaces fully protected by approved fire suppression systems or within a two-hour fire-rated room.

What do you need to know about emergency lighting systems?

Learn to adequately select the power source, wiring systems and controls to account for the designed survivability and performance requirements, which building codes and standards drive. Emergency illumination systems are required in most commercial buildings and are powered by an emergency power system.

What happens if a power supply fails to meet emergency lighting regulations?

Choosing a power supply that fails to meet emergency lighting regulations can result in legal liability, insurance complications, and—most importantly—put lives at risk during an emergency. Another critical consideration involves how each system integrates with building infrastructure.

What is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)?

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is an electrical device that supplies temporary power to a load when the input power source fails. This differs from a standby generator in that the UPS provides near-instantaneous protection from power interruptions such that the load is not subject to any power interruption.